To the editor:

The “Man Arrested for Attempted Murder” article on Friday Jan. 9 omits the role of mental illness in this attack. In the previous article involving Charvet on Dec. 19, his history of mental illness was not mentioned until nearly the final paragraph. In the Jan. 9 article, mental illness was not mentioned at all.

By consistently omitting or minimizing the role of mental illness in this story a key element of “who” we are dealing with is left out. By not reporting an accurate picture of Charvet the Review is creating a monstrous image of this man instead of telling the story of someone who is sick and in need of professional help.

Nothing can justify the original attack of the elderly women or this recent incident at the jailhouse. A mental illness does not give anyone a free pass on accountability. I’m sorry for all these people attacked and impressed by the professionalism of the officers who resolved the original stand off without further violence.

As we process these events, please consider the role that mental illness may have played in Charvet’s actions. For our community, I ask that we balance justice for the victims with compassion for the mentally ill and their families.

For the Review, I ask that they include relevant details like mental illness so readers can form an opinion of the event based on relevant facts.

JAMES PICKELL

Bainbridge Island